Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

So, the Power Board (I am sure that isn't the real name) on my Model #10 was a bit of Balsawood that was twice as thick as it should be.  So I been on a mission to figure out how to replace it.  I also didn't like the wire, so basically the whole setup annoyed me!

However, I struggled trying to figure out what to replace it with.  I had just a very small bit of the original that was in the parts bag.  I recognized the type but could remember what it was called.  I was texting with Junkologist about some other parts he is sending and told me to go to Home Depot and get some masonite for cheap.  Now I had a plan but I like going to Lowe's instead (it is closer and I am lazy).

This is where this story gets interesting and why I really wanted to post about it.  So Lowes has this stuff but it's called "Brown Wall Panel".  It is $14.00, not bad.  But it is in full size sheets (like a full size plywood sheet).  I ask the Lowe's guy - hey you guys got something smaller?  He looks around a lot, gets on his PDA thingy, then computer... nope only full size sheets.  He understands how much I really need and is sorry there isn't any smaller options.  I say to him, always good to have extra!

I ask Lowe's guy, can this be cut in half so it can fit in my SUV?  Lowe's guy says, sure go down that way and I'll call someone to the cutting station.

Me waits....

Me waits more ... then goes to find that Lowe's guy.... he calls again.

I go back to cutting station .... Me waits longer...

Lowe's guy actually checks up on me at the cutting station, says I bet the cutter is out on dinner break.  Asks me to hand him the "Brown Wall Panel".  He throws it on the floor and promptly breaks it in half.  Looks up at me and says "Opps, this is damage product and I am going to have to give it to you for FREE" and walks me to my SUV and loads it up! I sh*t you not, that really happened.

Photos of my job attached.  I think I can do better on making the little board but my knife kind of sucks.  Needless to say, I can re-do it a few times.  I also changed out the wire.  I spliced into the line going up to the light - no clue how you get up into the pole and to the socket.

Nice

Great story! Having been I  the appliance business 40 yrs, I took advantage of the Masonite back cover used on older GE washers, and kept them when scrapping out the washers.
Crazydoug

scrounging ... every time I look for something like this I know my dad and grandparents would have things like this.  They were scroungers, you name it they'd pick it up.  Granted they had a lot more square footage to storage things and fill up their storage barns / garages with "stuff".   I miss them immensely on many levels.

Me, I take after a bit more from my Mom & her side of the family: keeping things tidy and your garage is for your cars.  My Ex was even more so, she makes me look like a hoarder.  So no scrounging and it often hurts when I need that odd thing.  But when I see something on the side of the road (even on the interstate) I do a double take and tell myself - "keep on going you don't need that off the road"!  LOL